Monte Carlo Masters: Novak Djokovic sets up final against Rafa Nadal

Novak Djokovic will be looking to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time after thumping Fabio Fognini 6-2 6-1.

Last Updated: 20/04/13 4:05pm

The result was as easy as the scoreline suggested with outsider Fognini proving no match for the world No 1, despite reaching the first Masters semi-final of his career.

Djokovic, runner-up to Nadal in 2009 and again last year, won 82 per cent of his first serve points, while his opponent made 26 unforced errors in a nervy display.

The Australian Open champion blunted Fognini's attack by breaking the Italian on his opening service game and subsequently raced into a 3-0 lead before the world No 32 eventually found his feet to hold.

The Serb, who had won all four of their previous meetings, wasn't having too many problems, despite the windy conditions, and was ruthlessly efficient as he closed out the opening set 6-2 in just 30 minutes.

Fognini, 25, stormed into the semi-finals after recording his second top ten win in a row by defeating seventh seed Richard Gasquet on Friday, becoming the first Italian player to reach this stage since Andrea Gaudenzi in 1995.

However, despite being cheered on by the largely Italian crowd at the Monte Carlo Country Club, the clay court specialist was no match for his opponent as he made a number of unforced errors in a second set which lasted just 22 minutes.

At the end of the match the centre court crowd stood up to applaud Djokovic. He will now look forward to locking horns against his old foe Nadal in a dream final on Sunday.